After 4 hours of hearing and deliberation Saturday morning, Student Government Judicial Branch ruled to uphold the Election Board’s decision to disqualify Unite LSU from the 2013 Spring election.
The Court also upheld the Election Board’s decisions to dispute the fair market value of banners, to revalue Unite’s expense report, and to disregard the retail price as the fair market value.
Unite LSU Presidential Candidate John Woodard said today’s ruling disappointed him.
“Any time you have to face something like this obviously it’s hard,” Woodard said.
Counsel for Unite LSU Joe Gipson said he holds the Judicial Branch accountable.
“I have no idea how this was allowed to happen,” Gipson added.
Judicial Branch Chief Justice Morgan Faulk said this process isn’t over yet.
“The complaint today was about whether the Election Board has the powers in the appeal,” Faulk added, “The complaint tomorrow is about whether they used those powers properly.”
“Taylor and I are adamant about the fact that we have not broken any rules,” Woodard said, “Tomorrow gives us a better opportunity to prove our innocence.”
Unite LSU Financial Director Kristina Lagasse filed the complaint for Sunday’s appeal at the same time as today’s appeal.
Lagasse writes in the appeal that Unite LSU candidates should be fully reinstated, placing Woodard and running mate Taylor Parks in office.
Current election winners, Impact LSU Presidential Candidate T Graham Howell said running mate Kaitlyn Torke and he were happy the decision was upheld.
“The situation we’re dealing with now wasn’t about fairness, it’s a black and white issue about campaign spending,” Howell added.
Though the appeals process isn’t over yet, Howell went on to say he and his advisors are looking at revising the election code. While he didn’t offer specifics, Howell said they would look at everything from expenditure limits to rules about disqualifications.
Woodard said the ruling tomorrow will be key.
“The judicial branch has an opportunity to right a situation in which the students’ votes could potentially be disregarded,” Woodard said.
If the appeal is not overturned Woodard said Unite LSU will have other avenues of action.
“It’s not the end of the road.”
